Williams' two-year ban
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Ii • Last August
Gwent haulier Harold Williams was fined 24,000 and disqualified from driving for a year at Cardiff Crown Court for failing to properly maintain a vehicle involved in a fatal accident. Now his Operator's Licence has been revoked by South Wales LA John Mervyn Pugh, and he has been disqualified from holding or obtaining an 0-Licence for two years.
Williams, of Ashley Grove, Caerwent, had pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his son Darren Williams to cause death by reckless driving, after the
nearside brakes of the vehicle concerned were found to be inoperative. (CM 17-23 August 1989).
For Williams, David Whittaker said he had not had any actual knowledge of the defect on the vehicle involved in the tragic accident. The incident had caused both great personal and financial distress to the family. It would be devastating if the licence was revoked.
Whittaker argued that the defect had not been caused by neglect, as the vehicle had been inspected on 22 July and the accident occurred on 31 August 1988.
Questioned by the LA, Williams said that since the accident he had discussed the problem over maintenance with the vehicle examiner, particularly the way the brakes were tested.
A routine maintenance check was carried out every 8,000km or every month.